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Well they obviously didn't did they? But not to be deterred by the absence of a flesh and blood royal subject to shoot, the art department got to work on the next best thing: a Frankenstein cover featuring the head and hands of Kate, stitched onto the body of a fashion model wearing a 'colourful' creation by local designer, Clive Rundle.

"We were so inspired by her fairytale wedding and her life as a modern-day princess, which is why we elected Kate Middleton as our cover star for the August issue," explains editor, Aspasia Karras. "The cover is actually a hyper-real illustration of Kate, meant to be a fan art tribute to fashion's new royal icon."

"So she didn't actually pose for the cover? How is that a good thing? Aren't you cheating your readers as well as your cover subject?" complains Sue, while Samina points out: "That's not weird at all…".

It's not the first time Kate has fallen foul of heavy-handed Photo-choppers. After her wedding, UK Grazia magazine cut Prince William out of their cover shot and took about 6 inches off the Duchess's waist in the process.

No word from Kate on what she makes of the cover, but one person is sure to be over the moon: Clive Rundle. The South African designer is unlikely to ever see one of his creations on the Duchess in real life - she famously wears mostly British labels and is not, as far as we are aware, partial to a tattoo-effect sleeve - so this is definitely one for the Rundle family scrap book.

Besides the unlikely dress choice, there is one other cover clue to the truth behind the image: 'Fashion's new royal icon wears SA's best local designers*', it reads.